The Phoenix warm-up. It is business as usual, right down to Paul Ifill needing codeine for his wretched legs.

Ninety minutes later the players finish up, form an unruly circle, listen to a few words, clap their hands and then head to the dressing room. It has been an uneventful session, a bit like their season really.

Herbert is stubborn to the end. No press conference, no communication with his players.

It smacks of someone leaving in a hurry and not on their terms.

The owners have left the explanations to general manager David Dome, who has come prepared. His answers are hollow and rehearsed.

Did Herbert resign before he was sacked?

"No, like we said, Rob's (Welnix owner Rob Morrison) always said from day one that we were always going to review Ricki's role at the end of the season and that's what we were working towards," Dome said.

Will his conditions stay the same?

"That's confidential between the club and Ricki."

WHY isn't Herbert fronting a press conference today?

"Ricki wants to take some time off, no doubt about it, it's been a big decision for him.

"He wants to spend some time with his family, he hasn't had a lot of time with his family over the last couple of years really.

"So he's taking a little bit of time off to enjoy the sunshine in Wellington and regroup."

Does that just drag out the process?

"Not for us it doesn't, no."

So will Ricki be at the game tomorrow (tonight against Newcastle).

"No, he won't be here tomorrow night."

Greenacre talks fondly of his mentor, Durante arrives last and conducts himself impressively.

Durante confirms he was in the dark about Herbert's departure.

"I haven't spoken to him yet, no."

Wasn't that extraordinary given he was the captain?

"Yeah, look that's not my decision, that's Ricki's decision, you can talk to him about that."

Does that reinforce the feeling that Ricki is a poor communicator?

"He's been fine talking to the players, me personally, I speak to him quite a lot.

"When times are tough, I sit down and have coffees with him quite often.

"So if you're asking me about communication, look it's been fine.

"Obviously it's been a quick decision by Ricki. He's spoken to the board yesterday and that was the decision. I haven't spoken to him as of yet, but I'm sure I'll speak to him today."